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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Meat Safety and Quality » People & Locations » People List - Offices

Meat Safety & Quality Research
Wheeler, Tommy
Supervisory Research Food Technologist
tommy.wheeler@usda.gov
(402) 762-4221
MEAT SAFETY & QUALITY RES.
P.O. BOX 166 (State Spur 18D)/USDA-ARS-PA-MARC
Clay Center, NE 68933

Mission:
The primary objectives of the Meat Safety and Quality Research Unit are to reduce the risk of foodborne illness associated with the production and consumption of red meat, to respond to the research needs of the USDA action and regulatory agencies, to increase efficiency of lean meat production, and to improve eating quality of meat. Pre- and post-harvest food safety research addresses the microbial status of live animals and meat from farm to table using both molecular and standard microbiological techniques. Unique methods are developed and validated as necessary for sampling, isolating, and identifying pathogenic and spoilage bacteria. Sources of pathogens and approaches for their control at various stages of livestock and meat production are determined in order to reduce the risk of pathogen contamination of meat, other food products, water, and the environment by meat animals. Approaches include determining mechanisms of pathogen infection, colonization, and shedding by meat animals, development and validation of specific and sensitive detection methodologies, and interventions for control of pathogens in meat products, meat animals, and the production environment. Meat quality research is directed toward identification of areas of the genome that regulate carcass composition and meat quality, the development of methodologies to classify carcasses based on meat quality traits and lean meat yield, the effect of breed on carcass composition and meat quality, and the development of strategies to optimize meat quality, especially tenderness.

  Plains Area
    Clay Center, Nebraska
      U.s. Meat Animal Research Center
      Meat Safety & Quality Research
People:
Arthur, Terrance
(402) 762-4227

Research Microbiologist
Bono, James Jim
(402) 762-4363

Research Microbiologist
Bosilevac, Joseph Mick
(402) 762-4225

Research Microbiologist
Brader, Kerry
(402) 762-4175

Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Microbiology)
Brodrick, Sydney
(402) 762-4222

Biological Laboratory Technical
Daiss, Jada
(402) 762-4346

Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Microbiology)
Dyer, Julie
(402) 762-4381

Biological Science Lab Technician
Ekeren, Peggy Peg
(402) 762-4234

Biological Science Lab Technician (Biochemistry)
Gallagher, Jody
(402) 762-4222

Secretary (Office Automation)
Harhay, Dayna
(402) 762-4343

Research Microbiologist
Jasch, Bruce
(402) 762-4385

Biological Science Lab Technician
Kalchayanand, Norasak Nor
(402) 762-4224

Research Microbiologist
King, David Andy
(402) 762-4229

Research Food Technologist
Kucera, Dee
(402) 762-4349

Biological Science Lab Technician
Kucera, Kimberly Kim
(402) 762-4350

Biological Science Lab Technician
Ostdiek, Kristen
(402) 762-4232

Biological Science Lab Technician
Ostdiek, Shannon
(402) 762-4199

Biological Science Lab Technician
Reno, Franklin Frank
(402) 762-4230

Biological Science Lab Technician
Schmidt, John
(402) 762-4226

Research Microbiologist
Shackelford, Steven
(402) 762-4223

Research Food Technologist
Smith, Gregory Greg
(402) 762-4241

Biological Science Lab Technician
Trambly, Casey
(402) 762-4255

Biological Science Lab Technician
Wang, Rong
(402) 762-4228

Research Microbiologist
Wells, James Jim
(402) 762-4174

Research Microbiologist
Wheeler, Tommy
(402) 762-4221

Supervisory Research Food Technologist
(Employee information on this page comes from the REE Directory. Please contact your front office staff to update the REE Directory.)